dARKESThOUR, interview 
    This band is definetly one of the most exciting and extreme groups in the so called "metal core" 
    area around the whole world. Don`t get me wrong, but Darkest Hour is one of those bands 
    who have a special influence which makes them genuine or let me say: interesting! cause they 
    just do what they do and what they want... making good, heavy music! With their new album 
    "Undoing Ruin" they`ve just set an early milestone, so we HAD to talk with them... 
   

    fRk: Just for the start, let us explore the historical background of the band… please tell us! 

    Well we started back in 1995 as a highschool metal band just jamming for fun. Over the years 
    we had line up changes and became determined to make this band something that we could do 
    forever. You know it has just been a long rock struggle to do just that rock. And I mean that is 
    basically 10 years of my life summed up for you.

    fRk: What was the intention for you forming/starting the band? 

    At the beginning it was all about one thing. Have FUN! And now it’s the same although we are
    much older and have to make some kind of living on it you know. 

    fRk: The new album will be out end of june, what can we expect? 

    It’s a thrashtastic assault on the ears. Infused with Meoledy, Emotion, and all out punk ass 
    dudeness! 

    fRk: Would you say there are any differences between “The Mark of the Judas”, “So sedated 
    so Secure” and “Undoing Ruin”? 

    Well that’s a complicated question you know. I mean the easiest way to explain it is to break it 
    down like this:

    1. Mark of the Judas: Punk / Metal with more focus on the melody.
    2. So Sedated: More Hardcore less focus on melody. More focus on song structures 
    and simpler riffage.
    3. Hidden Hands: The most metal so far, Faster, Rawer, more technical. It’s the more metal 
    side of DH.
    4. Undoing Ruin: Is basically a mix of all the other records. Speed, Technicality, Rawness, 
    song focused rock. 

    fRk: The first release was on JTTP, just because MIA Records got in the red and they couldn`t
    release any more… is that right? 

    Yes, MIA went under and JTTP picked it up in Europe.

    fRk: How was it when you appeared as a Victory artist. I mean your records were promoted 
    to a much bigger mass and people got even more notice. Have you ever expected that all 
    would go that far? 

    Yeah I mean Victory is good at what they do. They get they get the records in the stores and 
    adds on the TV. I mean there only job is to get the record to the kids and let the know its out 
    and they do that well. 

    fRk: I forgot to mention “Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation”  is it right that is was to be 
    considered as as - Re-Issue – by Victory? So when did you record that one??? 

    Well it was our 3rd full length and we recorded it in Sweden in the winter of 2003. 

    fRk: Mostly people consider Darkest Hour to be a “Metal-Core” act… would you agree to 
    that opinion or what should people say when they speak about the band? 

    Sure but I like to think we are a PUNK METAL HARDCORE HYBRID. Also I always 
    like to point out that people should look past labels and shit and just focus on the music man. 
    That’s what it is all about. Man fuck all that other shit. 

    fRk: You got so much influences… raising from Hardcore, to Punkrock and Metal roots. 
    Are that just superficial influences from the sound or are there bands you really admire? 

    NO I mean our influences are who we are and we wear them on our sleves. We have never   
    been embarrassed to say who we are or who influenced us. We are who we are and we are 
    not ashamed. 

    fRk: Have you ever experienced something like a “darkest hour” in your or the bands` life, 
    respectively? 

    I mean I have had rough times but also good times. That’s what life is all about. Its about loss. 
    If you don’t lose anything you never know you had something. Also I think the dude says it the 
    best, Live: its all about strikes and gutters (that’s a bowling reference for all you non bowlers). 

    fRk: You will tour Germany right soon… looking forward coming overseas again? 

    Yeah we will be there in August and we cant wait to get out there and rock the hell out of 
    EURO world! 

    fRk: What`s your opinion to the american hc/metal scene… in general and if you compare 
    them to the european one? 

    I mean I like Euro metal better. I like US shows better. I like Euro bands and promoters better.
    I like when kids stage dive and circle pit but I mean that’s what they do everywhere. I mean for
    me a show is a show no matter where it is and when DH plays is a party no matter what country
    we play in!

    fRk: We have a section in our magazine called “crimes in the past” where we ask musicians 
    about their criminal background… so have you ever been in conflict with law or police or 
    any other reason. feel free to tell us.. just funny stuff;) 

    Yeah here  is a break down of my criminal record:
    3 times for breaking and entering (pool hopeing atucally)
    1 public nudity (Streaking)
    1 posession of marijuana
    1 possssion of marijuana parafinalia
    1 illigally imporing liquer between states
    1 illigally importing beer between states
    1 driving with an open container.

    I mean shit it is never fun to get arrested or fucked with by the cops I mean fuck I hate cops 
    they just harsh the mellow!

    fRk: Okay;)... so what happens next, just the torture game or are there any further plans noone
    knows yet? 

    Just tour tout tour tour and get to Europe so we can hang out with some killer dudes.
    Thanks for doing the interview! Mike

    text: frankie